Email Designer overview

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Email Designer Overview

The **Email Designer** is a powerful feature in ActiveCampaign that allows users to create branded, high-performing emails with ease. Launched in 2022, this reimagined tool prioritizes reliability and a user-friendly interface, ultimately enhancing the email campaign creation experience. Engaging customers through optimized campaigns is vital in today's marketing landscape, and the **Email Designer** facilitates that by making design simple and effective.

How to Access the Email Designer

You can access the **Email Designer** via the standard campaign workflow in both the **Campaigns** and **Automations** sections of your ActiveCampaign account. To create an email, follow these steps:

1. Click on **Create a Campaign** from the Campaigns section. 2. Select either **Standard** or **Automated** for your campaign type. 3. If you are creating an Automation, you can add an email using the **Email Designer** directly.

Please note that once you start with the new **Email Designer**, you cannot switch to the legacy designer within that campaign. To use the legacy designer, you would need to create a new campaign and select it explicitly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To design your email campaign using the **Email Designer**, you will utilize Structures and Blocks. Here’s how to create and customize your email:

Using Structures

1. Go to the **Content** menu in the **Email Designer**. 2. Drag and drop **Structures** into your campaign. Available Structures contain 1, 2, 3, or 4 Containers. 3. Each Container allows for different content types, enabling creative layouts. 4. To configure a Structure, click on **To Structure** at the top of the side menu. This opens a menu to edit indentations and padding for individual Containers.


5. You can add additional Containers by clicking the plus sign (+) at the top right of a Structure. Use the equal sign (=) to adjust sizes uniformly.

Adding Blocks

Once you have placed your Structures, you can fill them with specific Blocks, which constitute the content of your email. Drag and drop desired Blocks from the Content menu:

- **Image** - **Text** - **Button** - **Spacer** - **Video** - **Social** - **Banner** - **Timer** - **Menu** - **HTML** for custom code

To customize any Block, simply click on it and adjust colors, font sizes, links, and other properties as needed.

Configuration Options and Settings

Under the **Global Settings** tab, you can edit various aspects of your created email. Here’s a breakdown of available options:

General Settings

- **Message Width:** Default is 600px; can be set between 320px and 900px. - **Default Padding:** Adjust spacing around structures (specified in pixel values). - **Background Color and Image:** Set based on the email content. - **Font:** Choose preferred fonts for your email. - **Line and Paragraph Spacing:** Customize spacing preferences. - **Underline Links:** Choose whether links appear underlined. - **Responsive Design:** Helps improve mobile views; results may differ based on devices. - **Right-to-Left Text Direction:** Adjusts text direction automatically when activated.

Sections

Customize header, content, footer, and info rows:

- **Text Size** - **Font Size** - **Link Color**

Headings

Set default font styles for H1, H2, and H3 headings, including sizes and colors.

Button

Default settings for all email buttons can be configured for color, font, and border styles.

Mobile Formatting

Options available for mobile viewing:

- H1, H2, H3 sizing - Button text size - Button width - Content margin

All settings for mobile formatting only apply to the mobile version of your email campaign.

Best Practices

- Use **Responsive Design** settings to ensure emails display correctly on mobile devices. - Take advantage of the **Global Settings** for consistent styling across your campaigns. - Keep content concise and visually appealing by effectively utilizing **Blocks**. - Regularly preview your emails as you design them to ensure optimal layout and engagement.

Common Use Cases

- **Newsletter Campaigns:** Utilize a mix of **Text**, **Images**, and **Buttons** to drive engagement and encourage click-throughs. - **Promotional Offers:** Use the **Timer** Block to create urgency for limited-time offers. - **Event Invitations:** Create visually appealing invites using **Images**, **Text**, and **Buttons** for RSVP links.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while using the **Email Designer**:

- Ensure that your browser is up to date. Compatibility issues with older browsers can limit functionality. - If you can’t find specific features, check if your ActiveCampaign account reflects the latest updates. - For technical difficulties, consult ActiveCampaign support or the help center resources.

Related Features

- For information on automating email campaigns, see the Automation feature. - Explore how to better manage your contacts in the Contact Management section.

FAQ

Q1: Can I switch back to the legacy email designer after using the new one? A1: No, once you start with the new **Email Designer**, you cannot switch to the legacy version within the same campaign.

Q2: What options do I have for creating email content? A2: You can create content using **Structures** and **Blocks**, including text, images, buttons, and more.

Q3: How can I make my emails mobile-friendly? A3: Use the **Mobile Formatting** settings within the **Global Settings** to ensure proper display on mobile devices.

Q4: What happens if I don’t adjust the default settings? A4: If you don’t modify the default settings, your emails will use preset styles which may not match your branding.

Q5: Can I use custom code in my emails? A5: Yes, you can include custom HTML through the **HTML** Block option.

Q6: Are there any restrictions on email width? A6: Yes, the message width can be set between 320px and 900px, with a default of 600px.

Q7: How do I manage the spacing in my email? A7: You can adjust spacing through **Default Padding** options under **General Settings** and also by modifying each individual Container.

By following this guide, users can effectively leverage the powerful features of the **Email Designer** to create stunning emails that engage and convert. ```